Wasilla
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WASILLA & WILLOW |
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Distance Between Wasilla and :
Anchorage = 42 mi / 68 km
Fairbanks = 315 mi / 508 km
Population
= 5,134
Mat-Su Borough
= 53,000
Elevation
= 348 feet / 106 meters
Located in the Susitna Valley only one hour north of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Often overlooked, Wasilla has an amazing amount of recreational possibilities.
Wasilla is is the largest community in the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley. Wasilla became a station during construction of the Alaska Railroad in 1916. Before the Parks Highway was completed in 1972, valley locals, primarily from the nearby Palmer, would come to the area bound for one of the several lakes and recreational areas. Today Lake Lucille, Wasilla Lake, and Big Lake remain very popular destinations for local residents. Wasilla is headquarters (and museum) for the Iditirod Dog Sled Race. At the museum you can learn about the internationally famous race and take a ride on a dog sled (with wheels in the summer).
Wherever you travels in Alaska you should not overlook this beautiful valley and the Wasilla area. The recreational opportunities are endless here, and it is well off the beaten track as many visitors simply pass through on their way to Denali.
LOCAL RESOURCE INFORMATION :
Willow Chamber of Commerce
Lots of information on what to do in Willow.
Lodging, Recreation, Dining, Transportation, Guides and more.
The Mat-Su Visitor Center located at milepost 35.5 on the Parks Highway. PO Box 6166, Palmer, AK.., 99645 (907) 746-5000 is also a great resource for visitors to the area.
Nancy Lake, at mile 64 of the Parks Highway is very picturesque and has a campground with more than 30 sites along the lake. ($10) Boat rentals are also available near here at Tippecanoe (mile 66 of the Parks Highway), 907- 495-6688.
For more information contact either the City of Wasilla Visitor Information Center, located in the Dorothy Page Museum on Main Street just off the Parks Highway, (907) 373-9071; Fax 373-9072, or the
LODGING:
Alaska's Mat-Su Bed & Breakfast Association
P.O. Box 873507 ~ Wasilla, Alaska 99687
Phone: 907-376-4461 ~ E-mail: info@alaskabnbhosts.com
Alaska Trails and Tails Dog Sled tours and B&B
PO Box 874293
Wasilla,
AK. 99687
1-800-300-6874
The Wasilla Backpackers Hostel is located just off the Parks Highway. Here, you can find plenty of information on the excellent hiking, biking, canoeing, and camping opportunities available in the area.
FLIGHT SEEING:
Bear Air
PO Box 875493
Wasilla,
AK. 99687-5493
Glacier Flightseeing, Mt. McKinley, Fishing, statewide charters, wilderness lake log cabin rentals.
RECREATION:
Tippecanoe P.O. BOX 675, WILLOW, AK 99688-0675 PHONE/FAX: (907)-495-6688 EMAIL: info@paddlealaska.com Tippecanoe has canoes placed throughout the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. Tippecanoe begins operation
May 15, depending upon ice-off, and closes near the end of September. Tippecanoe has been renting canoes to Alaskans and visitors in the Mat-Su valley since 1986.
For additional information on what to do, see or places to stay in the Wasilla area, visit the Anchorage Visitor Center. They offer a wide range of free brochures, maps, and guides. They have extensive information about the Anchorage-Wasilla area and other south central communities.
The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is also a great source of information on outdoor recreational lands use. Here, you will find information on all of Alaska's state and federal lands including parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, public use cabins, trails and campgrounds. Available are maps, books, slide shows, and other aids to help you with your Alaskan adventure. Expert staff are knowledgeable resource, and can assist you in learning much more about Alaska.